Preparing for Stem Cell Transplant

Undergoing a stem cell transplant first involves several steps of preparation. We met with myeloma specialists such as Dr. Caitlin Costello of the University of California San Diego who has given a clear explanation for what you can expect going into a transplant. We believe that explaining it in detail can help you in your decision making process and may alleviate some anxiety.

Here’s how the first step of the transplant process, in which stem cells are removed from your body works:

• When preparing for a stem cell transplant, the first step is to stimulate the production of healthy stem cells in your bone marrow. This is done through the injection of growth factors into the blood via IV and takes place as an outpatient procedure (which means you can leave the hospital after each round of injections). This initial step usually takes place over the course of 4-7 days of injections, during which the bones may hurt, since they are working in overdrive.
• Next, doctors begin processes called Stem Cell Mobilization and Stem Cell Harvest. During these steps, they draw blood through a catheter or IV out of the body and into a machine that separates out the stem cells from the the rest of your blood, which go put back into your body. This process can be repeated until doctors have as many stem cells as they need. Then, stem cells are put in the freezer and saved for the “magic” of stem cell transplant: chemotherapy for the cells.